Supply EpiPens To Public Places

In the summer at the pool or beach, we have life preservers and perhaps lifeguards to save potential drowning victims. In the winter, we provide free flu shots. Most recently, we provide funds for police departments to save lives by having Narcan available for opioid overdoses.

Now imagine a person who unexpectedly goes into shock, their breathing becomes difficult, their blood pressure skyrockets and their heartbeat becomes irregular. That's the very real and frightening situation for a person in anaphylaxis shock as a reaction to a food allergy or insect bite.

That's why an epinephrine auto injector, commonly called an EpiPen, which can be easily and quickly administered by the victim, is so critically important. And, yes, it is absolutely unconscionable for Mylan, the manufacturer, to charge such an exorbitant amount for this inexpensive lifesaving devise.

A person's life should not depend on whether or not he or she can afford this medication. As a matter of public health, we should place EpiPens in public buildings, restaurants and elsewhere, and they should be available without cost -- just as we provide life preservers, free flu shots and drug overdose kits.